This is NOT for racing, but it really seems like hybrid race boards like the RS:X might just be the best thing out there for achieving these goals. This board will be for venturing far from home where conditions often change dramatically during a long day on the water. Think sailing 20 or 30 miles from home, generally far upwind or down, and needing to get home regardless of what the wind does. So I need to cover as wide a wind range as possible with a given rig, and I need to be able to sail efficient upwind/downwind angles in both planing and non-planing conditions.

My Kona One is my current distance exploring board, and it does cover a pretty astounding wind range, but where it falls short is in upwind/downwind planing ability. It points great with the centerboard down, but in planing conditions it really seems much better tuned for reaching than hammering steep upwind or downwind angles like on a formula board. I do like to take my formula board out in the right conditions too, but I'm always wary of venturing too far from home on it considering what a hog it is to slog home if the wind dies.

Sooooo.... I turn to y'all for advice. Any suggestions for a great board to do what I'm looking for? Any experience specifically with the RS:X to share, or with other hybrid race boards that might be a good fit? Any and all insights are appreciated.

If you're not competing in the RS:X fleet I would stay away from that. I really don't enjoy that board. I would buy a Prodigy before that one.
Tinho's board looks interesting if you do like that wider style. He knows what he's doing.
Have you (or anyone else here - John?) tried putting a much bigger -biggest powerbox you can find- fin on the Kona to improve up-wind planing performance? I've been planning on putting a 48cm fin on the RRD Longrider to test the Loft longboard racing sails but have not gotten around to it yet.

I liked the Exocet Pacer from a few years ago if you can track one of those down. That should have been the Olympic board.
Got a chance to try the Exocet RS380 last year in gusty winds and that thing is a rocket ship in any wind/direction but does not go upwind like a Formula board in planing wind, but what does?_________________www.jp-australia.comwww.neilpryde.comwww.jp-australia-sup.comwww.velawindsurf.com

Last edited by antonius on Wed Nov 09, 2011 3:42 pm; edited 1 time in total

My Kona (first batch imported) came with the 40 fin. Changed up to Kona 46 fin after first year. It didn't make a deal of difference to upwind, but the difference in feel was very satisfying. The board felt more balanced, and comfortable, (for me at anyrate. 6'3" and 12 1/2 stone), especially planing normally powered up with favourite twin cam 7.5 sail and on long journeys.

Keenly waiting for chance to try the new div 2 type Exocet, but, to judge from carefully watching the videos, it may prove too technical and tiring for day long cruising in very variable winds and sea states. (Cliffs, headlands, squalls, tide races etc etc, the normal unexpecteds in cruising!)

That's where the Kona works so well. I fear it will be a hard act to better.

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